Butter-dispensing machine



sept. 11, 1934.

Filed, Aug. 26. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

7am/rcel Woods ATTORNEY.

Sept.' 11, 1934. C, L WODS 1,973,423

` l BUTTER DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Aug. ze, 1932 4 sheetssheet 2 INVENTOR. fiale/reef VVaal-s ATTORNEY. E

SePt- 11, 1934- c. l. wooDs BUTTER DIsPENsING MACHINE Filed Aug. 26, 1952 @Sheets-Sheet 5 l l l l l l l l l l l l l l INVENTOR. Yale/Mez Mois Affe.

` ATTORNEY.

SePt- 11, 1934- c. l. Woons BUTTER DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 26, 1932 4 Sheelzs--Sheell 4 INVENTOR. Qaffencez VVooJs ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. l1, 1934 LenennUT'rnR-nrsPnNsiNG MACHINE Clarence; I wooois, Hollywood, Calif. f

Applioauon August 26, 1932, serielNo. v530,501

. lilalaims.

This invention relatesto improvements in butter dispensing machines. Itis anobject of the invention te provide Such.. a machine, CQnSStine of: a casinglhavingvspaeed; and removable refrigerating` compartments therein between which a removable buttercontainer is provided adaptedto receive a number;k of `slabs ofbutterplacedone uponthe. other weichem-kept ,0.001. and prevented frorn-- adheringv to one anether by the refrigerant in the refrigerating compartments; and to provide means for advancing4 the bottom slab ofbutter through the container soI that its front extremity projects. therefrom, and for Cutting Off the forwardly projecting butter entremalty.`

Another object of the inventionis to provide a; butter dispensing machine wherein means are provided for advancing the bottoni slab o f butter ag, uniform distance each time a handleis operatedite provide a Gutter alsefatuated tnv-the han.- dieV movement, and to so arrange the mechanism that the `cutter does not commence to function until the forward movement ofthe bottoni butter sla-bhasbeen completed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a butter dispensing machine having; a butter container thereink adapted Vto receive a nuinber of Aslabs of butter one above the other, and to provide wedges for supportingthe secend lowest butter slabspaced slightly above `the bottom one sothat the latter may be readily-gradu-alfly advaneed through the container; and to provide meansV actuated bythe return ofthe butter pusherto its rear-most position for withdrawing the wedges and permitting `trlelolpittger slabl lresting thereon to drop to the bottom of; the container.

With these and other objects and advantages View which will hereinafterbeoonie apparent, anernbodiment of the invention-is hereafter describedwith `the aid of the accompanying drawings, vin which:

Figure l; is a side view o f the invention partly in sec-tion. Y

Figure 2 is a plan View of the invention with portieri of the cover broken away.

Figure 3` is all'enlarged section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section'enwthe line 4-*4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlargeddetailshowing thepawl disengaged frornthe rack bythe dog,Y

Figur-e 6 is a .Section @n the-line 6-'6 Qi Fig* ure 5.

Figure 'l is anenlargedlongitudinal section throughY the Centreo'f the machine and the buttercontaner, showing the position of the mech- (Clt Slag-T20) anism as a piece of butterV is being severed from the bottom slab.

Figure elisa detail assembly in perspective `of the. butter pusher. v Figure 9 is a perspective View of a detail.

7iligure 10 is a perspective view of the rack, the clevis secured thereto,' and the links pivotally rno,u itedI on the latter, and

Eigure 1l isa perspective View showing one set of wedges and the spindle throughwhich. are actuated.

they

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a casing which may be closed by rneansor a cover 2p.

Within the casing two. spacedand reino tween` thezn a removable butter Containern is arranged which has cpposedopenings extending acrossv its full, Width formed through its' and extending upwardly from its base.

height of the front opening is slightly gr than that or the slabs of` butter which are ends The eater to` be moved therethrough, and the rear opening of the container ishigh enough to permit a butter pusher 22. to pass therethrough. An opening is also formed through thefront of the casing l which registers with 'and isl slightly larger than the'. said front'cont'ainer opening to permit free passage of the bottom butter slab D, which is moved therethrough in a manner hereinafter described.

Extending transverselythrough the casing beneath the cornpartrnents 3 co'lrtaine'r 4 is a shaft 5 on one extremity oi which ahandle 6 is provided exteriorly of the said casing. Fired conontheshaftbfon both sides of the butter of three arms 7a, '7b and 7c which radiate theraxis of the shaft ,5.7

A second shaft 8 tainere are elements '7 y"each of `'whichconsists from also extends transversely through the casing 1 behind the butter container langedpulley, is secured on the said shaft 8.

ASecured transversely of the casing and beneath the container 4 is a channel-shaped member 11 having upturned extremitiesfllawhich are pro,- .1

vable refrigerating compartments 3 are housed, and'be videdwith opposed slots 12, and outwardly projectingH hinge pins 13. theslots 12 arearcuate while their upper tions are inclined upwardly and rearwardly the top of the 'arcuate portions'.-

The-flower portions A.of

porfrom Supported beneath the container 4 as by guides 14 so as to be permitted longitudinal movement is a rack 15 having upwardly projecting ratchet teeth. 16 denotes a clevis secured to the imder side of the rack 15 intermediately of its length and having its extremities upturned. Studs 1'? project outwardly from the latter and upon them levers 18 are pivoted. Through the arms 7a. longitudinal slots 19 are formed through which pins 20 pass each of which connects one of the said arms to one extremity of one of the levers 18; while through the opposite extremities of the said levers pins 21 project which also pass through the slots 12.

The butter pusher 22 which is of angle section and has its vertical portion 22a forwardly directed, extends upwardly through a longitudinal slot formed through the base of the container 4 throughout the length of the latter. Extending upwardly from its horizontal portion 22E; are vertical flanges 23 adjacent which the said portion 22h is apertured. A pawl 24 is pivoted on the flanges 23 and extends through the aperture in the horizontal portion 22h to engage the ratchet teeth of the rack 15. Pivoted also on the ange 23 is a dog 25 which is so positioned relative to the pawl 24 that when the said dog is turned in one direction it moves the pawl clear of the said ratchet teeth. To the upper extremity of the dog 25 a tape or cord 26 is secured which is also wound around the pulley 13. Thus rotation of the pulley 10 in one direction, imparted through the handle 9, winds the tape 26 onto the said pulley and turns the dog 25 into its pawlreleasing position.

Each time the handle 6 is moved from its initial position A to B the pins 21 move from the upper extremities of the slots l2 to their positions shown in Figure 1, thereby advancing the clevis 16 and rack 15; and as the latter is engaged by the pawl 24 the pusher 22 is advanced, carrying the bottom butter slab D forward with it so that its foremost extremity projects through the front opening of the butter container 4. During the movement of the handle 6 from its position B to that indicated at C the pins 21 travel around the arcuate portions of the slots 12, which are radial to the studs 17 so that no further movement is imparted to the rack 15, and into the position shown in Figure 7. Obviously the rack movement is substantially equal to the pitch of the ratchet teeth so that when the handle 6 is returned to its initial position A, which is accomplished by a spring 27 connected both to the arms 7b and to lugs 27a on the upper extremities 11a of the member 11, the rack 15 is moved rearwardly againwhile the pusher 22 and pawl 24 remain stationary. Thus on each forward movement of the said rack the butter pusher 22 and the bottom butter slab D are advanced a distance substantially equal to the pitch of the ratchet teeth, and the cord or tape 26 is unwound from the pulley 10. V

Mounted on the hinge pins 13 are links 28 which are slotted longitudinally at 28a intermediately of their length to receive pins 29 which extend from the outer extremities of the arms 7c. Exteriorly of the container 4 and on opposite sides thereof vertical guides 30 are provided adjacent the front of the casing 1 to support slides 31 which are vertically movable. Extending between the said slides and secured to the latter is a cutter 32 consisting in the present instance of a wire, which extends across the front of the container.

The front extremities of the links 28 are pivotally connected to the slides 3l. Due to the provision of the slots 28a downward movement of the slides 31 is delayed until after the handle 6 has been moved forward past its position B and the butter slab D has been advanced by movement of the rack l5; then continued movement of the said handle to its position C moves the slides 3l and cutter 32 downwardly to sever the forwardly projecting portion D1 of the butter slab, which then drops from the machine.

Formed integral with the vertical butter pusher portion 22a are opposed rearwardly and inwardly inclined ears 33 above which a coil spring 34 extends. Mounted in the casing 1, one on each side of the container 4 are two parallel spindles 35 from which arms 37 extend; to the upper extremities of these arms the ends of the spring 34 are secured. Fixed on the spindles 35 are upwardly extending members 38 having inwardly directed elements or wedges 39 freely mounted thereon adjacenttheir upper extremities which are held in a substantially horizontal position by guides 40 which are preferably made integral with bearings 36 by which the spindles are rotatably held. These wedges 39 normally extend inwardly through slots 4a. formed in the vertical walls of the container 4 and support the second lowest slab of butter E and the other slabs which rest thereon, and hold the slab E spaced slightly above the bottom slab D. However when the kbutter pusher is returned to its rearinost position, as shown in Figure 1, the inclined ears 33 move the upper extremities of the arms 37 outwardly against the tension of the spring 34, turning the spindles 35 and thereby withdrawing the wedges 39 from the butter compartment so that the second lowest slab E may fall to the bottom of the container into the position D to be fed forward by the pusher 22. 22 again commences to advance the spring 34 turns the arms 3'! so that the wedges 39 return to their inward positions and raise the second lowest slab of butter E clear of the bottom slab D.

From the foregoing it is believed that the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood. The butter container 4 and the refrigerating compartments 3 are readily and separately removable, and the adhesion or" the butter holds the pusher 22 against itso that the latter does not move on the rearward stroke of the rack 15. The method of advancing the butter through movement of the handle '6 from its position A to B through movement of the lever 13 and rack 15 has been explained. When 'the pusher has reached its forward limit of travel the handle 9 is turned by hand to rewind the cord ortape 26 onto the pulley 10, in this manner the pusher 22 is moved back to its initial position as tension of the cord 26 causes the dog 25 to move pivotallyand raise the pawl 24 clear of the ratchet teeth on the rack 15. The method by which the forwardly projecting portion of butter is cut vertically by the cutter 32 as the handle 6 is moved from its position B to C has been described; and it will be understood that the slides 3l are raised again on their guides 30 by rearward movement of the handle 6 from C to A which is accomplished by the springs 27. I

The purpose of the wedges 39 and the method in which they are withdrawn from the compartment 4 by outward movement of the arms 37 actuated by the ears 33 when the pusher 22 is moved to its rearmost position has also been explained. In this connection it may also be added As soon as the pusher Y line-ranas y Lthat: whenfthe container f4 iis .i to .libe inserted or `withdrawn :thefpusher 22 :imustzlb'esmoved: back toi its rearmost'. position! in order 'Itolwith'drawl vthe .wedges y39 -from the AsaidA oontainersides. V

` "While in the foregoing-therpreferred'embodi- =menttof i'the invention has beenxrdescribed :and

shown, i it is i understood that the rconstructionis f susceptible @to fsuch-ialterations'A and'imodications as falli-within theiscopeof thefappendedclaims. -Wliat-'I claim-is i '1. AIn. a '-machine `of l'the-v' character "described,

1ture,rneans for #gradually advancin'gixthe ipusher -throughthe containerga cutterwertieally movable in said ycasing adjacent ftheother .taperture, .a transverse-shaft mounted-on @said imachine, two

*elements =iixed on saidf-sh'aft one 1'on' eachffiside ofthe container-,1two=arms-on each element,` each armfbeingfopposed 'to-one arm onf-the other telement, means cooperating with one opposed pair of varms for actuating the means -for gradually advancing the fpusher, and-means4 coacting with the otheropposedwpairlof farms-"for lmoving-the cutter' vertically adjacent =one end o'f yfthe container.

2.-"\In i anl arrangement of the 'f character` I'de-- scribed, `the combination of` a casing, a :remo-vable -container ithereinehavingit's fopposite extremities -apertured adjacent 'lits '-base, afpusher slidable On-said casing `"throughfone container aperture andftowa'rdsffthe other, azracklbeneath nsaid'container,means.for reciprocating said rack,

ratchetteethonsaid frackfalpawl--on lsaid pusher -ccoperating with 'the ratchetA teeth, fa lfpulley lrotatable in said casing, aexibleelement '-.wound aroundsaid pulley, fa `dog pivote'd on said =.pusher ito which f said -iiexible element vis'fattached,` said dog-"being adapted to move the pawl pivotally, so that wllen the vpulley -is'rotated Land the lflexible element is woundthereon,"tthedogxdisengages "the .-pawlf iromthe ratchet teeth,vv and the `pusher vis moved back V.through the containers 3. "In an=a1'rangement `of the fcharacter described, `Ythe-combinationof a casing:.having--.a container therein, said container having 1itsioppoysite ends `apertured and'being adapted to,I receive 'a -plu-rality `of slabs of Vmateriall .arrangedfone -over vthfepther a ipusher slidable through said 'containe-rlfadapte'di to feed the vbottom Sslab :for- `ward, `means for'l actuatin'gthe ,pushing` .the containersides having slots 4formed *therethrough wedgesfmova'blethrough fsaid slots adapted to support the bottomV slab but4 oner and 'hold lit spaced above the bottom sla'b :as `the latteris sied forward,- and f means withdrawing,A the: wedges when `the pusher is returnedto :one extremity of its travel so vthat Athen the second flowestslab may drop :to Ibottom Lposition l'in' the container;-

'1L/In anvarrangement of fthevcharacterfde -scribed the 'coinbinationr yof a f'casingfl'having r a container therein, saidy container having slots formed tl'iroug-h itssides and vbeingadaptedto receive a plurality of slabs .of material arranged one l-over tthe other, 4a pusher .slidableiethrough said `'container adaptedwto feed theiibottom'v slab forward, means foractuatingsaid pusher, wedges movable through the container =slots to lsupport the bottom sla-b -butone and-'hold 4it "clearof the bottom slab as the 'latter-isfedlforwardthrough the -containerby `the pusher, means withdrawing i Lthe fbottom'fslab Sibut i'oneramay cdrop :intobottom .positionfan'd spring fmeans for `retilrriingetlie @wedges inwardlyithrough'the :slots into suchffpo- Ysitioniasto raise the bottom:'slabxbut,onefslightiy `'andholdit spacedlabove the Vbottomslablas soon i,

5; vIIn an narrangementb of the f :character tdescribed,fthefcombination zof :a ac'asing,v a :pusher Ymovableiitlfierethrough, means forzmoving .sai'd ipusher, opposed `fwedges: adapted tomove etowards one fanotheriand: support :a :t second :'lowest-,islabiof 'material insai'd'casing;saidapusherbeingradapted to advance the bottom slab therethrough, -spin- .dleslrotatable `in vsaid fcasing,.mernbers :fixed ont .said'i'spindles carrying'said wedges,.armszproject ing.v from :said spindles, a` spring fconnectingwthe outer ends of the .arms holdingmthe opposed V.wedges 'towa-rdsone another, and :ears :on-:said

pusher :which contact the arms when `the -pusher f yis ,'move'drto its Yrearmost `position vand :.force said arms :outwardly moving the opposed wedges sur.- Atherfrornone another.`

I6. In. an arrangement ,oiv the-:character-described, the combination-cfa casingsa Acontainer .itherein `having slotted', sides/anda' apertured1 ends, a pusher .movable throughV one: container aperture towards the other'aperture, fmeans `forfaxivancing .the pusher, means for returningl the Apusher 'to 'itstrearmostposition wedges'horizontally#movable through the ,container "slots Atov-supportaay'slab .above :the one being advanced 'bythefpushen inwardly rand :rearwardly `projectingears ifonvthe pushen. and .means vcooperating'with saidaears lfor .withdrawing said Wedgesfoutwardly Athrough the container slots when the pusher is movedto itsrearmost position; i

'7. In.' an arrangement-of thegcharacter 1de- -scribecLrfthe :combination of :a casing, a container thereinhaving :slotted sides, a rpusherfmovable :through said container,y means for advancing the pusher, means: for `returning-the `pusher to .lits rearmost*v position, vvwedges horizontally movable through the container slots atogfsupport ra slab .above .the yone being :advancedbv the zpusher, Vinwardly4 and :rearwardly tproj ecting ears lonzsaid pusher, means` coacting with :said-fears :for lwithikdrawing the'wedges from theacontainer: slots when --thenpuslier visn'ioved' lto its rearmost position,

means hol'dingthe wedges substantial1y.;horizontal when withdrawn fromftheir container'slots, and spring means for movingfthefwedges: inwardly thrcughnthe slots Awhen the pusheris advanced frorniitsrearmost position.

y8. .'Ifa machine ofthe characterfdescribedfzthe :.1:

combination lof a casing,- a ,container therein adapted to receive acpluralityof slabs of butter .placed one upon the other, said container having its .front extremity apertured upwardly Afrc'vmits base,`:said aperture 'extending acrossthe full 'width of. the container 'tolgpermit' free passageiof the.-bottom butter slab therethrough; a-:pusher slidable through 'said containerto `feedthe bottom butter slab through the aperture, means "movable Zthrough` the container :sides normally supporting .the bottom slab 'but one horizontalzas thefbottom `slab ,is moved beneath' it 'by l'the pusherszand'a cutteradapted to cut y'off the `front: extremity fof said. .bottom butter. slab after: ity :has been ated through said aperture by-:the pusherr 9; In a-machine of the :characterdescribeddhe combination of 'a casing, Ma-lcont'a'iner therein adaptedto' receive aplurality offslabsbffibutter placed one upon-'thev other, said container having its opposite extremitiesapertured-upwardlyl from its base, the front aperture extending across the full widthaof thecontainer to permit freel passage of the bottom butter slab therethrough,

a pusher slidable through the container to feed the bottom butter slab through the-front aperture, said pusher being adapted to bemoved rearwardly through the rear container aperture, to

- permit removal of said container, means movable through the container sides normally supporting the bottom slab but one so that the bottom slab may' be readily moved beneath it, and a cutter adapted to cut off the front extremity of said bottom slab after it has been fed through the aper- A ture. 1,.

10; In aV machine of the character described, the combination of a casing, a container therein adapted to receive a plurality of slabs of butter placed one upon the other, said container having `its opposite extremities apertured upwardly from 'its base, the front aperture extending across the 'full width of the container to permit free passage of the bottom butter slab therethrough, a pusher slidable longitudinally through the container to feed the bottom slab through the front aperture,

'means movable through the container sides nor- Vdrop onto the container base, means for gradually advancing the pusher through the container, and

means for returning the pusher to its rearmost position.

11. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a casing, a container 'therein adapted to receive a plurality of slabs of butter placed one upon the other', said container having ts front extremity aperturedupwardly from its base, said aperture extending across the full width of the container to permit free passage of 'the bottom butter slab therethrough, the container base being longitudinallyk slotted, a pusher slidable in said container a portion of which depends through said slot, means beneath the container cooperating with the pusher for moving the latter and movable means extending through opposite sides of the container normally supporting the bottom slab but one so that thebottom slab is free to move beneath it.

12. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a casing, a container therein 'adapted to receive a Vplurality of slabs of butter placed one upon the other, said container having its front extremity apertured upwardly vfrom its base, to perrnitfree passage of the bottom butter slab therethrough, the container base being longitudinally slotted, a pusher slidable in said container a portion of which depends through said slot, said pusher bearing against the rear face of the bottom butter slab, means beneath the convtainer cooperating with the pusher for moving the latter forward, a cutter adapted to cut off the front extremity of the bottom butter slab after it has been advanced by said pusher through the Vfront apertured extremity ofthe container, movable means normally extending through opposite sides of the container for supporting the bottom slab but one horizontal, other means operated by movement of thepusher for retracting said movable slab supporting means, and acornmon operating means for advancing the pusher andactuating the cutter.l Y l l its front extremity apertured to permit free pas-I sage of the bottom butter slab therethrough, the rear extremity of the container being also apertured, a pusher slidable in said container, the latter having a slotV formed longitudinally in its base, a depending portion of said pusher extending through said slot, means beneath the container coacting with the depending portion of the pusher for-advancing the latter so that it pushes the bottom butter slab through the front container aperture, movable means normally extending through opposite sides of the container for supporting the bottom slab but one, other means operated by movement of the pusher for retracting said movable slab supporting means, and

other mea-ns for moving the pusher rearwardlyV through the rear container aperture to permit the next butter slab to fall onto the container base.

14. In a machine of they character described, the combination of a casing, a container therein Ysa adapted to receive a plurality of slabs of butter placed one upon the other, said container having its front extremity apertured to permit free passage of the bottom slab of butter therethrough when moved longitudinally, a pusher lslidable through ,the container to feed the botl tom butter slab throughvsaid aperture, said container also having slots formed through opposite sides thereof, and means normally extending through said slots engaging the second lowest izontal position as the bottom slab is advanced through the container.

15. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a casing, a container therein adapted to receive a plurality of slabs of butter placed one upon the other, said container having its front extremity apertured to permit free passage of the bottom slab of butter therethrough when the latter is moved longitudinally, a pusher slidable through the container to move the bottom slab through said aperture, said container also having slots formed through opposite sides thereof, elements normally extending through said slots to engage the slab of butter above the bottom` one and prevent downward movement thereof as thebottom slab is advanced through thecontainer, and spring means normally holding said elements in their slab engaging positions.

16. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a casing, a container therein adapted to receive a plurality of slabs of butter placed one upon the other, said container having its front extremity apertured upwardly from its base to permit free passage of the bottom slab of butter therethrough, a pusher slidable through the container to move the bottom butter slab through said aperture, said container also having slots formed through opposite sides thereof,'- elements Ynormally extending Vinwardly through said slots engaging the second lowest butt-er slab and holding it substantially horizontal as the bottom slab is advanced through the container, and means actuated by the'rearward movement of the pusher for withdrawing said elements to permit the next butter slab to fall to the base on the container.

17. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a container of uniform cross section throughout its height, a casing in which butter slab and holding it in a substantially horsaid container is mounted, the container having its ends apertured, its base longitudinally slotted, and slots formed through its sides, said container being adapted to receive a plurality of slabs of butter placed onev upon the other, a pusher movable in the container to advance the bottom slab through the aperture in one of its ends, a depending portion on the pusher extending through the base slot, means cooperating with said depending portion for moving the pusher, spring actuated means extending through the side slots normally holding the second loW- est slab against downward movement, and a cutter movable in front of the container aperture through which the bottom slab is advanced.

18. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a casing, a vertically removable container therein to receive a plurality of slabs of butter placed one upon the other, reifrigerating compartments adjacent said container throughout its entire height, said container having one extremity apertured to permit free passage of the bottom butter slab therethrough and having its base longitudinally slotted, a pusher slidable through said container to move the bottom slab of butter, movable means normally extending through opposite sides of the container for supporting the bottom slab but one horizontal, a depending portion on the pusher extending through the base slot, and means cooperating with the depending portion for actuating the pusher.

19. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a casing, a vertically removable container of uniform cross section throughout its height, said container being adapted to receive a plurality of slabs of butter placed one upon the other, the front extremity of the container being apertured to permit free passage of the bottom butter slab therethrough, a pusher slidable through the container to advance the bottom slab through said aperture, movable means normally extending through opposite sides of the container for supporting the bottom slab but one, the rear extremity of the container being apertured to permit passage of the pusher rearwardly therethrough so that the container may be removed from the casing, and refrigerating compartments in said casing adjacent the container throughout its entire height.

CLARENCE I. WOODS. 

